I've just been practicing with my airbrush kits today...  (as recommended by pengi...)

anyway, it seems to me that an airbrush can provide a really good misting (or a darker coating) of dirt, rust, exhaust fumes or whatever, but it's not that precise. maybe the most precise it can be is a misting dot around the exhaust vents on a loco or something similar sized? anyway... it seems like to actually get the finer details in n gauge, then you need to remove some paint with a cotton bud (or whatever you like), or use powders on top of a base layer (for brake dust or rust...) or mix up your methods and not just rely on airbrushing?

I can draw a dot with the airbrush and draw a line, but neither is super super thin.

any thoughts?   

does anyone solely use an airbrush for weathering their rolling stock?

can anyone recommend good videos on youtube where a pro is weathering n gauge rolling stock or locos?


cheers,


tim


ps. mods move this to the right board if you like!

Quote from: bluedepot on March 29, 2014, 05:22:59 PM
I've just been practicing with my airbrush kits today...  (as recommended by pengi...)

anyway, it seems to me that an airbrush can provide a really good misting (or a darker coating) of dirt, rust, exhaust fumes or whatever, but it's not that precise. maybe the most precise it can be is a misting dot around the exhaust vents on a loco or something similar sized? anyway... it seems like to actually get the finer details in n gauge, then you need to remove some paint with a cotton bud (or whatever you like), or use powders on top of a base layer (for brake dust or rust...) or mix up your methods and not just rely on airbrushing?

I can draw a dot with the airbrush and draw a line, but neither is super super thin.

any thoughts?   

does anyone solely use an airbrush for weathering their rolling stock?

can anyone recommend good videos on youtube where a pro is weathering n gauge rolling stock or locos?


cheers,


tim


ps. mods move this to the right board if you like!

Hi

What size nozzle and needle does the airbrush have and is it a dual action one (pressing the trigger controls the air and pulling it back controls the paint). Mine is 0.3mm and will produce very fine lines.

Cheers

Paul

hi

yes it is dual action

nozzle is 0.3

it is not a top of the range one though


cheers


tim

practice, practice, practice...

I don't do enough and it shows.....

you can download some practice sheets from here http://www.airbrushtutor.com/
its not a modeling site, but this guy knows how to spray paint, ink, whatever!

Practice - yes, 100%!

I picked up a middle-of the road airbrush at Ally Pally last weekend and finally summoned up the courage to load up some Railmatch Acrylic frame dirt into the little cup,

After a few test squirts onto some card, I sprayed some over an OO Class 156 body I had handy before  trying some N Gauge vehicles. Actually didn't look too bad, so I'll be doing some more. Getting a cheap OO loco or coach to use as a testbed is a good way to refine your techniques.

Next thing will be to try respraying a loco into something simple like BR Rail Blue before trying something more ornate.

I wonder if any of the professional weatherers run courses?  I have seen a george dent course but it was 100 quid and in sussex.

I will keep practicing anyway. frame dirt misting and roof dirt misting I am happy with. rolling stock sides and rusting effects or fine detail I'm not happy with. I think maybe using powders and airbrushing is the way to go.

cheers for replies


Tim

Whilst i have attempted weathering with an airbrush I still find certain aspects easier to dry brush. The airbrush is great as you say for "misting" but for that "streaky" look - brush every time.